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Great Western Drilling Underpaid Federal Royalties

Report Number
13-0199

The OIG investigated allegations that Great Western Drilling Corporation (GWD) misreported mineral royalty data to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) and underpaid Federal mineral royalties. We substantiated the allegations and found that for more than 6 years, the GWD violated Federal regulations and ONRR rules when they deducted their costs incurred transporting and processing natural gas and associated natural gas liquids into marketable condition from its royalty obligations to the ONRR.

Investigation
Office of Natural Resources Revenue

United States

Tribal Member Convicted of Mail Fraud for Submitting a False Claim to the OST

Report Number
17-0228

The OIG investigated the alleged theft of a U.S. Treasury check paid to Cheryle Jordan for land that Jordan sold through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. Jordan filed a claim with the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) stating she never received the check. After Jordan filed her claim, however, the OST determined the check had been cashed. We determined Jordan falsely reported the check as stolen. Jordan admitted she mailed a false claim to fraudulently obtain a second check. She subsequently pleaded guilty in U.S.

Investigation
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians

, MT, United States

Collection of Documentation by Companies Mining on Federal Lands

Report Number
17-0297

During an investigation of the use of self-bonds in coal operations, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified an issue with access to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s (WDEQ’s) records related to its grant from the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE). We found that the WDEQ may be restricting OSMRE personnel’s ability to remove records from WDEQ offices for OSMRE review and audit.

Other
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

United States

Investigation Reveals Absence of Clear Boundaries Between Bureau of Indian Education Post-Secondary Educational Institution and Nonprofit Corporation

Report Number
17-0074

During an investigation at Haskell Indian Nations University (Haskell), we found that employees of the Haskell Foundation (Foundation), a nonprofit corporation, utilize office space on the Haskell campus and manage the proceeds of grants to Haskell. We also found that Haskell and the Foundation had no written agreement governing their relationship.

Other
Bureau of Indian Affairs

United States

USGS IT Security Vulnerabilities

Report Number
17-0444

During an investigation into suspicious internet traffic, we identified two vulnerabilities in the USGS’ IT security posture: web-site access and open USB ports. Common methods to prevent malware incidents involve a combination of employee training (Rules of Behavior) and access controls (hardware and software technologies). We made two recommendations to help the USGS improve its IT security posture.

Other
U.S. Geological Survey

Sioux Falls, SD, United States

Alleged Abuse of Position by Secretary Zinke

Report Number
18-0192

We initiated this investigation based on information we received while investigating U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ryan Zinke’s use of noncommercial aircraft for U.S. Government travel. This investigation focused on whether Secretary Zinke abused his position by having his family members travel with him in Government vehicles, whether he asked that his wife, Lolita Zinke, be appointed as a DOI volunteer to legitimize her travel, and whether he requested a Government cell phone for her.

Investigation
Other

United States

FWS Contractor Did Not Falsely Certify Payments

Report Number
18-0471

The OIG investigated allegations that an FWS contractor falsely certified payments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under a construction contract it held in the Southeast Region and that the contractor failed to pay a subcontractor for work performed. We found no evidence that the contractor falsely certified payments to the FWS or that it withheld payment to its subcontractor. We found that the subcontractor did not provide the contractor with timely and accurate support for its invoices and that there were legitimate delays in the contractor’s payments to the subcontractor.

Investigation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

United States

BLM Manager Engaged in Sexual Misconduct

Report Number
18-0565

The OIG investigated allegations that a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manager sent pornographic images and sexually suggestive instant messages from his Government computer and personal cellphone to a subordinate employee.

Investigation
Bureau of Land Management

United States

Allegations of Conflict of Interest at Gettysburg National Military Park

Report Number
16-0879

We investigated an anonymous complaint alleging that Superintendent Ed Clark of Gettysburg National Military Park (GETT) violated ethics rules by soliciting funds on behalf of the Gettysburg Foundation, a non-Government organization; accepting Foundation-funded travel to events sponsored by the Foundation and those sponsored by other non-Government entities; and hosting a Foundation-funded dinner for his employees. We found that from February 2014 to October 2016, Clark traveled 27 times to attend events organized by the Foundation.

Investigation
National Park Service

Gettysburg, PA, United States

Unfounded Allegations of Misuse of NPS Funds

Report Number
18-0283

The OIG investigated allegations that a former National Park Service (NPS) superintendent held visitor donations in a private investment account instead of a U.S. Treasury account as required by NPS policy and may have personally benefited from the funds. We found no evidence of misuse or personal gain. We analyzed the account and found no withdrawals or transfers; all the donations remained in the account. Although holding the funds in a private investment account violated NPS policy, we found the superintendent was following procedures established by his predecessors.

Investigation
National Park Service

United States

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